Racing Toward a Cure

The 2014 outbreak accelerated vaccine development. In 2019, the FDA approved Ervebo, the first Ebola vaccine, showing about 97.5% effectiveness. A second vaccine from Johnson & Johnson followed. Two monoclonal antibody treatments were also approved, cutting mortality sharply when given early.

The virus does not vanish between outbreaks. Scientists believe fruit bats are its natural reservoir, carrying Ebola without dying and passing it to people who handle or eat infected bush animals. The virus can also linger in survivors for months — hiding in the eyes, spinal fluid, and other protected tissue — and has occasionally sparked new chains of infection long after a person recovers.